Suspect in alleged sexual assault held on $300,000 bail in Ocean Beach case

Bail has been set at $300,000 for a man who is charged with sexually assaulting a woman in Ocean Beach on March 24.

Richard Christopher Butts, 25, pleaded not guilty March 27 before San Diego Superior Court Judge David Szumowski. He is charged with kidnapping, forcible oral copulation and assault with intent to commit rape.

A preliminary hearing has been set for April 10. The victim was walking on Long Branch Avenue in Ocean Beach around 10:15 p.m. when a man grabbed her and attacked her.

The woman screamed and neighbors called police. Butts was arrested by San Diego police near Robb Field. He has a misdemeanor trespassing conviction in Washington, but no other prior record, according to court records. He remains in the George Bailey Detention Facility.

Alleged rapist identified by apparent victim

An employee at a Sports Arena Boulevard hotel identified a guest in court March 26 as a man who raped her in a Dec. 21, 2012 incident.

Following the testimony, a fourth sexual assault was added against Christopher R. Stevens, 44, who was also ordered to stand trial on six others in the preliminary hearing.

The incident occurred at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Point Loma.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Fred Link set a May 15 trial date. Stevens remains in jail on $3 million bail.

Stevens pleaded not guilty after the hearing to four rape counts, penetration with a foreign object, felony assault, and making a criminal threat to the maid.

If convicted of all charges, he could receive 450 years to life in prison, said Deputy District Attorney Trisha Amador. He qualifies for the third strike law because he has convictions for two robberies, a burglary, auto theft, and felony evasion of police.

Link dismissed one count of false imprisonment involving another woman at the same hotel.

Stevens was arrested by police on Christmas Eve at a Mission Valley hotel. He remains at the Vista Detention Facility.

News BriefsSuspect in alleged sexual assault held on $300,000 bail in Ocean Beach case Bail has been set at $300,000 for a man who is charged with sexually assaulting a woman in Ocean Beach on March 24. Richa...